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Police issue description of Pondside robber

PONDSIDE–The Boston Police Department has confirmed that two armed robberies were committed this week on Eliot Street and released a description of the suspect.

Both gunpoint robberies occurred at the Eliot School of Fine & Applied Arts at 24 Eliot St.–one inside the school, and the other outdoors behind the building.

The suspect is described as a black, non-Hispanic man, about 20 years old, 6-feet-1-inch tall and about 200 pounds with a slim build, with a slight beard. He was wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt and blue jeans.

In the first robbery on Feb. 27, the suspect hung around inside the Eliot School, an adult-ed program, for about an hour prior to the 6 p.m. crime, speaking to numerous people. The victim, a teacher, was robbed when he walked down some stairs while talking on a cell phone. The suspect pulled out a black handgun and said, “Tell your girlfriend you will call her back.” The suspect then said, “Give me what you got.” After stealing the victim’s wallet and phone, the suspect fled the building toward Dunster Road. It was not immediately clear why BPD described the suspect as fleeing toward that street, which is a block away from the school.

In the second robbery on Feb. 28, a man was robbed around 8 p.m. after parking his car on Dunster Road and cutting through the Eliot School grounds toward Eliot Street. The suspect approached the victim behind the school building and demanded money. The suspect stole the victim’s wallet and cell phone and demanded the password for his ATM card. “Don’t give me the wrong password, because I know where you live and I’ll come back,” the suspect said. The victim gave the suspect the password and the suspect displayed a gun while telling the victim, “Run.” About 45 minutes later, the victim’s bank reported that the victim’s ATM card was used to withdraw cash at a Blue Hill Avenue ATM.

The suspect remains at large. Anyone with information about the crimes can contact detectives at Jamaica Plain’s District E-13 Police Station at 617-343-5628 or anonymously by calling 1-800-494-8477 or by texting the word “TIP” to 27463.

The police department also issued the following tips to avoid robbery:

• Always be aware of your surroundings, especially at night.

• When parking, walking or returning to your car, remain in well-lit and
populated areas. Wear sneakers or shoes that allow for added mobility.

• Be watchful and aware. Keep your head up. Make quick eye contact with
those around you and be observant of passing vehicles. Don’t become
distracted by talking on a cell phone or listening to an iPod or similar
device.

• Avoid walking alone late at night. Walk with friends and people you know.

• If you think that someone is following you, switch direction or cross
the street. Walk toward an open store, restaurant or residence and call
police.